The one thing this kid had in his favor was that his older brother had been a Defense Warden. Eric shook his head. It was hard to believe Bertram was even related to Edwin, let alone that they were brothers. Where Edwin was rather tall, with brown curls, Bertram�s soft hair was straight and reddish-brown in color. The younger Silverwebb�s eyes were a light gray-green shade while his brother had one eye of green and the other of brown.
Eric walked over to the young man and said, �Silverwebb.�
�Yes, sir?� the young man said softly, as he brought his eyes up to meet his those of his superior.
�I want you to spar with�� Eric glanced around and intentionally picked Kevin, the largest of the other trainees. ��him,� he finished softly. This would be the quickest way to know if Bertram would be able to even complete his training and become a Defense Warden.
Bertram�s eyes narrowed slightly and he nodded confidently. �Yes, sir,� he said in a firm voice. Bertram stepped forward and onto the sparing mat, as did his opponent. Both young men faced each other and moved into a fighting stance.
Beckoning with both hands, Bertram said, �Come on.� When his opponent made no move, he asked, �What? Are you afraid I�ll hurt you?� Silverwebb smiled broadly and winked. �I�ll go easy on you,� he stated teasingly.
With a growl, the larger boy lunged at him, attempting to deal a body blow. Bertram deftly sidestepped and deflected the blow, then dealt one of his own to the center of his opponent�s back.
Kevin stumbled, but managed to regain his footing. Turning around, he quickly swung a large foot at Bertram�s unprotected head. Silverwebb easily ducked under the foot and grabbed it. Using Kevin�s own momentum and unbalanced position to his own advantage, he pushed away and caused the larger boy to fall onto his back.
Kevin was momentarily stunned and Bertram used the opportunity to roll him onto his chest and pull his right arm up and behind him, effectively pinning him to the floor. Smiling broadly, the slightly winded Bertram looked up at Eric and asked, �Enough?�
Eric blinked in surprise but managed a nod. �You know Scurd-flit?� he asked incredulously. Scurd-flit was the form of unarmed combat utilized by Shynians, the scientists and explorers among the Loyalians.
Bertram released his opponent and nodded. �My father felt that I needed to know how to protect myself,� he said softly. Forcing a smile, Silverwebb added, �I�m smaller than most people I�m likely to come up against, so he felt it was best I learn a form of martial art made for just that purpose.�
�Well,� Kevin said, getting up off the floor and rubbing the back of his neck. �Ya learned pretty good.�
�Thank you,� Bertram said softly, holding out a hand toward the larger boy. �No hard feelings?�
�Nah,� Kevin replied, shaking Bertram�s hand. �Just show my kid-sister how to do that and we�ll call it even.�
�Alright,� Silverwebb replied, chuckling softly. Turning to Eric, he asked, �Did I pass?� When the older man looked confused, he added, �That was a test right? To see what kind of Warden someone like me could make?�
Eric looked chagrined and said, �I�d say you definitely passed, Trainee.�
�Thank you, sir,� Bertram replied softly. Nodding slightly, he turned and bounded over to where the other trainees were practicing their own martial arts.
�Well,� said a voice behind Eric. �Didn�t I tell you?�
Eric turned to find Emmett standing behind him. He nodded slightly. �Like father, like son,� he said softly. �I think he�ll do just fine.�
�If anyone stands a chance of locating Edwin,� Emmett said softly. �It�s Bertram.�
End